Staffordshire-based IT consultancy Blue Anvil Technologies has topped this year's list of Midlands technology companies in The Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100 annual league table.

Eleven Midlands companies in the region, compared with 15 firms last year, have won places on this year's national league table of Britain's one hundred private technology companies with the fastestgrowing sales over a two-year period.

Blue Anvil, based in Wheaton Aston, last year notched up sales of £5.4 million, a rise of 151 per cent.

The company, which provides IT services to the likes of BT and Cable & Wireless, was launched in 2000 by former colleagues Steven Brown and Julian Chick using £1,900 of personal funds. It has since developed particular expertise in the GIS (Geographic Information Systems) market.

Keith Anderson, partner at Pricewaterhouse Coopers and a specialist in working with ambitious and growing companies, said: "The Midlands has often been acknowledged as a hotbed for entrepreneurial spirit and with 11 local companies in this league table, it is clear that new business talent continues to thrive in the region.

"Alan Sugar's recent BBC 2 series, The Apprentice, has done a lot to help correct the perception of what it means to be an entrepreneur.

"Often, entrepreneurs can be viewed as risk takers, but those who succeed take a considered and well informed approach to any business decision and this was reflected as the series progressed.

"From our work with fledgling companies across the region, it is clear that successful entrepreneurs are committed individuals with good planning and leadership skills. It is also a myth that entrepreneurs are solitary figures.

"Businesses focused on growth understand the need to ensure they have a range of skills and expertise within their organisation and this cannot be achieved through one individual."